Urban Street Trees

The south west corner of Western Australia and the Perth region specifically, is recognised as an international biodiversity hotspot2. Perth has a particularly high level of endemic

species that are not found outside the metropolitan area2. With Perth’s high population growth and increased demand on environmental assets the issues of street trees, urban canopy and transport greenways are very topical. The latest

metropolitan planning strategy released by the Western Australian Planning Commission,

“Directions 2031” includes a chapter on greenways, in which transport greenways and urban

tree canopy cover are specifically mentioned3. Perth’s population grew by 14.9% between

2006 and 2014. This population growth is leading to urban sprawl and increased housing

densities which are resulting in the reduction in urban tree canopy cover. As land managers, service providers and government regulators, Local Government can play an important role in seeking to balance infrastructure and community needs with environmental conservation and sustainability.